The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga

While there are now several great books on the anatomy of yoga, this book is clearly oriented towards visual learners, as the illustrations of muscles on a skeletal frame of the body communicate much more than any text ever could. The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga is organized much like other anatomy books, making it clear, straightforward and easy to access. The first section of the book covers all the basic anatomy terminology. The latter chapters cover each muscle in detail with multiple illustrations showing close ups of its origin and insertion, the muscle’s antagonists and synergists, how the muscle is stretched and contracted within multiple yoga poses. While this book is full of relevant information on the anatomy of yoga, the full color and highly detailed anatomical illustrations of yoga poses make this book a must have for any yoga teacher or serious yoga practitioner.

Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.

New to Yoga?

To get the most out of our site, we suggest you take some time to explore before jumping into the practice. Browse our yoga 101 section for general info on the history and types of yoga, then start exploring asanas the physical postures used in hatha yoga. Remember to breathe and always start your yoga practice with a brief meditation. If you are new to yoga, please read our Yoga for Beginner's page

Yogic Wisdom

Go sweep out the chamber of your heart.
Make it ready to be the dwelling place of the Beloved.
When you depart out, He will enter it.
In you, void of yourself, will He display His beauties.